The backlog was highlighted by the Victorian Ombudsman last year in a damning report which painted a poor picture of the child protection service in Gippsland.

Val Callister says the Department of Human Services (DHS) started tackling the case load last August by bringing a team of experienced social workers to Gippsland to support staff struggling to keep up with demand.

DHS identified 36 extra social workers were needed and with overseas recruitment, the figure should be reached by next month.

DHS has also entered into an agreement with East Gippsland TAFE and will continue its association with Monash University to train more social and community workers locally.